What a difference a day makes!

Return of the prodigal.

By WW
January 3 2020

It has been a long time since Tykes fans had anything to smile about. Things have been getting worse, on the field and off it for years. At the end the last decade many of us were in despair. The decade seemed to lead us on a massive downward spiral, from Premiership to rock bottom of the Championship with no money and a squad of plucky lads who are struggling to compete at this level.. Then just a few hours ago a small ray of sunshine broke through the storm clouds gathering over LS6. After years of bad news we got the one piece of news that is guaranteed to warm the cockles of the most embittered Tykes fan's heart.....

Cue the return of the prodigal son - Phil Davies! Phil Davies returns to the scene of his greatest triumphs as Director of Rugby to replace the recently departed Martyn Wood. Not only is he an experienced rugby manager and a lovely bloke as well but he has Tykes blood (albeit Welsh Tykes blood) coursing through his veins.

After my initial euphoria I asked myself if Phil can work some magic and stave off relegation? Unlikely with the current squad. So two possibilities : Re-inforcements are on the way or we are planning to rebuild from a division (or two) lower down. If the former then money must have been made available from somewhere. If the latter then the club has budgetted to manage without the RFU payment . Either way we will hear more soon as Phil has always been a great communicator and was always happy to talk to the Tykes fans.

Are we expecting miracles? No. Can we expect to be around next season? The answer is hopefully but not as Yorkshire Carnegie. We need a catchier name, perhaps with only two syllables.

Very positive news especially in conjunction with the forthcoming name change.

Phil's task is huge - the same people are still in charge, we still need financial backing and we're still part-time but it's a real coup to get him back and, as Carnegiette says, the first time the rollercoaster has pointed upwards in quite some time.

Having just watched the Phil interview and question answering sessions on the Offie, I am even more impressed and optimistic for the future.
Being only young, Phil's initial spell with the Tykes was before my time, but if ever "cometh the hour, cometh the man" was to ring true it is now.

The appointment of Phil Davies and the consequent good publicity it has attracted are causing consternation on the Bedford messageboard. They are genuinely worried about a Leeds revival. Apparently there is to be an important club announcement today.

leeds exileThe appointment of Phil Davies and the consequent good publicity it has attracted are causing consternation on the Bedford messageboard. They are genuinely worried about a Leeds revival. Apparently there is to be an important club announcement today.

If I am honest I can't see Bedford having anything to worry about, I can see them picking up in the 2nd half of the year. If we are to survive then I think we would have to look slightly above them.

In all honesty whilst I have a degree of positivity it doesn't stretch to our survival this year (I would of course be delighted if we did!) However, what I think the recent days announcements have given me is that we will be around next year and also be competitive.

Assuming we will still be part time again next year, unless there is a large investor waiting in the wings then I think it will give us chance to rebuild a stronger team rather than being exposed at a level too high. Who knows what someone with time and a known budget and hopefully a very good little black book will be able to do in time for the start of next season.

I do feel sorry for Martyn Wood, he really was given the impossible task at the start of the season. I suspect if PD wasn't able/willing to come in he would still be in charge, but sometimes in sport if an opportunity arises you have to take it - PD coming in has given the club a lift together with the proposed name change

Having only just read the news I like every other poster am astounded. Truly exciting.
Whether PD can keep us from the drop remains to be seen and I fear without some genuine reinforcements,and I emphasise the word genuine , it will be a huge task. But PD is a talisman and it will be an exciting half season.
Just before New Year Mrs Farmer looked at my season ticket and enquired whether it had been a waste of money. I gloomily replied in the affirmative but said I would see out the season by attending for old times sake. Now there is a good reason to go .

leeds exileThe appointment of Phil Davies and the consequent good publicity it has attracted are causing consternation on the Bedford messageboard. They are genuinely worried about a Leeds revival. Apparently there is to be an important club announcement today.

If I am honest I can't see Bedford having anything to worry about, I can see them picking up in the 2nd half of the year. If we are to survive then I think we would have to look slightly above them.

In all honesty whilst I have a degree of positivity it doesn't stretch to our survival this year (I would of course be delighted if we did!) However, what I think the recent days announcements have given me is that we will be around next year and also be competitive.

Assuming we will still be part time again next year, unless there is a large investor waiting in the wings then I think it will give us chance to rebuild a stronger team rather than being exposed at a level too high. Who knows what someone with time and a known budget and hopefully a very good little black book will be able to do in time for the start of next season.

I do feel sorry for Martyn Wood, he really was given the impossible task at the start of the season. I suspect if PD wasn't able/willing to come in he would still be in charge, but sometimes in sport if an opportunity arises you have to take it - PD coming in has given the club a lift together with the proposed name change

That's a very fair point about Martyn Wood. I don't really support the football style strategy of getting rid of Managers after a few games, and he had a very tough task. Very pleased about Phil Davies though, and the name change, and the talk of a future...….

Yeah, I agree entirely with WPLs point about Martin Wood. His dismissal had nowt to do with results, which was given as the official reason.

That said, I'm chuffed to bits that PD is back and whilst I have sympathy for MW, as I would for anyone who loses their job through no real fault of their own, it's no more than that given that he made close to no effort to connect with supporters.

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